A letter from the owners

A Building God's Kidom: Our Foundation, Our Purpose, and Our Future

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Dear God's Kidom Families,

When Abby and I first began dreaming about the future of Early Childhood Education, we didn't simply imagine owning a learning center. We imagined changing the way early childhood education was approached, the way teachers were treated, and the experiences children had during some of the most important years of their lives. That dream didn't come from a business plan or a desire to own a company. It came from our experiences as teachers.

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Where Our Vision Began

Before we became owners, we experienced firsthand what it was like to work in an environment where teachers were overwhelmed, expectations were inconsistent, and classrooms often felt more chaotic than educational.

We remember days filled with screaming, hitting, biting, pushing, and other challenging behaviors. Teachers were exhausted, and rather than having the time, support, and resources to address the reasons behind those behaviors, they often found themselves simply trying to make it through the day.

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Children weren't consistently receiving the intentional teaching, guidance, and meaningful learning experiences they needed. And teachers weren't receiving the support, respect, or encouragement they needed to provide those experiences. It wasn't the kind of environment we wanted for ourselves, and it certainly wasn't what we believed children deserved. But those experiences taught us something important. Children cannot thrive in an environment where the adults responsible for teaching them are simply trying to survive.

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We began asking ourselves what it would take to create something different. What if teachers were treated as professionals rather than replaceable employees? What if classrooms had consistent routines, clear expectations, and meaningful educational goals? What if children were taught not only their letters, numbers, and colors, but also how to be kind, loving, gentle, respectful, patient, independent, and understanding? What if teachers were encouraged to grow, learn, and develop careers they could genuinely be proud of? And what if families could trust that their children were receiving more than supervision throughout the day? Those questions became the beginning of our vision.

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Building God's Kidom From the Ground Up

One thing we want families to understand is that we are still building God's Kidom into the learning center we have always envisioned. And just like building a house, you cannot put up the walls before establishing a strong foundation. For us, that foundation begins and ends with Jesus Christ. Before there were solid educators , before HighScope, and before any of the improvements we have made, there was God and the purpose He placed on our hearts.

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Jesus is not simply a part of our curriculum or something we incorporate into our daily routines. He is the reason God's Kidom exists. He is the foundation of our mission, the example we strive to follow, and the center of everything we do. The way we teach, the way we lead, the way we treat one another, and the values we work to instill in our kids are all rooted in Him.

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When we teach children to be kind, loving, patient, gentle, forgiving, respectful, and compassionate, we aren't simply teaching good behavior. We are teaching them to reflect the love and character of Christ. We recognize that none of what we have accomplished would be possible without Him. Every opportunity, every challenge we have overcome, every lesson we have learned, and every step forward has been made possible through His guidance and provision.

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"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." — 1 Corinthians 3:11 (NIV)

With Christ as our foundation, we have spent the past several years building the next layer of God's Kidom.

We have established our educators, and together, we have worked to create a team that understands our expectations, believes in our mission, and is committed to growing alongside our center.

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We have also introduced HighScope, a research-based early childhood curriculum that has helped us elevate our approach to education. Rather than simply filling the day with activities, we are developing intentional learning experiences that encourage independence, problem-solving, meaningful relationships, and developmental growth.

We have worked to establish consistent classroom schedules, clear expectations, stronger communication, and a culture where teachers are encouraged to take ownership of their classrooms and continue developing professionally. Jesus Christ is our foundation. Our teachers, curriculum, and educational philosophy are the framework we have built upon Him. And now, we are beginning to put up the walls.

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A Different Approach to Early Childhood Education

At God's Kidom, we strive to operate more like a school than a traditional daycare. That doesn't mean we expect young children to sit at desks all day or spend their childhood completing worksheets. Quite the opposite. We believe young children learn best through meaningful play, hands-on experiences, exploration, relationships, and consistent guidance from knowledgeable teachers.

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But behind those experiences should be intentional planning, educational goals, developmental understanding, and a clear purpose. Our teachers aren't simply responsible for keeping children occupied until their families return, they are responsible for helping children develop the skills, habits, relationships, and character that will influence their future.

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Teaching children to be kind, caring, loving, gentle, respectful, independent, and understanding doesn't happen by accident. It requires patience, consistency, intentional teaching, and an incredible amount of dedication. And developing teachers who not only understand those responsibilities but genuinely recognize their importance requires just as much dedication.

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We don't want teachers who simply get through the day. We want teachers who understand why they do what they do, who recognize the value of their work, and who are willing to continually grow as educators. Over the years, we have learned that this level of commitment isn't for everyone. We have had teachers come and go as we have continued raising our expectations and developing our program.

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While those transitions are never easy, we have also learned that building the right team is far more important than simply filling a position. We understand that our approach may not be the perfect fit for every teacher or every family, and that's okay. We have a clear vision for God's Kidom, and we believe that remaining committed to that vision is what allows us to provide a consistent, meaningful experience for those who choose to be part of it.

Creating a Workplace Where Teachers Can Build a Future

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One of the biggest challenges facing Early Childhood Education is the belief that working with young children is simply "playing with kids all day." We know firsthand how far that is from the truth. Teaching young children requires knowledge of child development, classroom management, curriculum planning, communication, emotional regulation, safety, and countless other skills. It is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding work.

Yet the profession has historically struggled with low wages, high turnover, burnout, and limited opportunities for professional growth. We have always believed that this needs to change. We want Early Childhood Education to be a career that knowledgeable, dedicated teachers can build a future in, rather than a temporary position they hold until something better comes along. We want to attract teachers who genuinely love teaching, understand child development, take pride in their classrooms, and recognize the tremendous responsibility that comes with helping raise and educate young children. More importantly, we want to keep those teachers.

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Teacher turnover doesn't just affect a business. It affects the children who develop meaningful relationships with their teachers, the families who depend on familiar faces, and the consistency of the entire classroom. When teachers feel valued, supported, heard, and fairly compensated, they are more likely to remain in their positions, continue developing their skills, and invest themselves in the children they teach.

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But we also recognize that higher expectations must come with greater support. We cannot expect teachers to continually improve, take on more responsibilities, and maintain high professional standards without also investing in their development, compensation, and well-being. If we want exceptional teachers, we must be willing to build a workplace where exceptional teachers want to stay.

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That means creating an environment where teachers feel respected rather than replaceable. It means recognizing that teachers have families, responsibilities, and lives outside of the classroom. It means encouraging professional growth, providing meaningful feedback, and giving teachers opportunities to develop their skills. And it means recognizing that as the cost of living increases, wages must continue to grow as well. We don't believe teachers should have to choose between doing work they love and building a financially sustainable future.

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Why Scheduled Time Off Matters

Unlike traditional schools, our learning center operates year-round, with long days and very few extended breaks. Our teachers are responsible for maintaining consistent classroom routines, implementing curriculum, documenting developmental progress, managing classroom responsibilities, and providing attentive, hands-on care every single day. It is incredibly rewarding work, but it is also demanding.

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Because of our staffing structure and commitment to keeping familiar teachers in the classrooms, we are not currently able to offer traditional paid time off in the same way many other professions do. In a small learning center like ours, when a teacher needs several days away from work, finding qualified coverage isn't always possible. Sometimes that leaves us with an unfortunate choice. Teachers either go without the time away they need, or families experience unexpected classroom closures because we cannot safely and appropriately staff the room.

We believe there is a better way. Our goal is to move away from unpredictable classroom closures and toward a calendar that provides planned, consistent opportunities for teachers to take time away from work. Rather than families having to scramble for childcare because a classroom unexpectedly closes, we want to provide a schedule that allows everyone to plan ahead. By sharing our next year calendar in advance, we are providing families a notice of the closures throughout the upcoming year.

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We also believe that time away from work should not be something teachers have to feel guilty about needing. It should be a normal, healthy part of maintaining a sustainable career. Teachers deserve opportunities to rest, recharge, spend time with their own families, and return to the classroom prepared to give their best.

We recognize that planned closures still require families to make arrangements, and we do not take that inconvenience lightly. However, we believe that providing predictable time off is a more sustainable approach than continuing to operate in a way where teachers struggle to take time away and families risk unexpected disruptions. Scheduled closures cannot prevent every unexpected absence or emergency, but they are an important step toward creating greater consistency. Rested teachers are more patient, more engaged, more creative, and better equipped to provide the consistent, high-quality education our kids deserve. Ultimately, our goal is to create a better balance for everyone.

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Investing in the Future of God's Kidom

Just like any other business, our learning center must periodically adjust its rates to reflect increasing operating expenses, the cost of providing services, and the continued investment required to maintain and improve our program. However, we want our tuition rates to represent more than simply keeping our doors open. We want them to support the kind of learning center we have always envisioned. A center where teachers are fairly compensated for their work. A center where children experience consistent routines, meaningful relationships, and intentional education. A center where families feel confident in the quality of care and teaching their children receive. And a center that can continue serving its community for years to come.

These goals require financial stability. They require thoughtful planning, responsible budgeting, and the willingness to make decisions that support the long-term health of our center. We recognize that tuition increases can be difficult for families, and we never want anyone to feel that we take their financial commitment for granted. But we also believe that maintaining a high-quality learning environment requires an ongoing investment in the people, resources, and systems that make it possible.

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Building With Intention, Not Impulse

Something we want families to understand is that the changes we make at God's Kidom are not decisions we come up with on a whim. Throughout each year, we are constantly observing how our center operates, listening to feedback, identifying challenges, and discussing what we can do better. Some challenges have simple solutions that we can implement right away. Others require more planning, financial preparation, or significant changes to how our center operates. Rather than rushing into decisions, we spend time brainstorming, evaluating different possibilities, and determining what will be most beneficial for our kids, families, teachers, and the long-term future of God's Kidom. Often, the changes we introduce in a new year are the result of challenges we have spent the previous year, or even several years, working to understand and solve. Our updated tuition structure and closure calendar are examples of that process.

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We have recognized the need for more sustainable teacher compensation, better opportunities for rest, greater staffing stability, and a more predictable operating calendar. Now, we are taking steps toward addressing those needs. And we know there will be more to build in the years ahead. We aren't expecting to create the perfect learning center overnight. We understand that meaningful, lasting improvements take time, dedication, financial investment, and sometimes difficult decisions. But we would much rather take the time to build something strong and sustainable than settle for something that simply works for the moment. We are not interested in making changes simply for the sake of change. We are interested in making improvements that last.

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An Investment in Their Future and Ours

One thing we often think about is how differently families and teachers experience Early Childhood Education. For most families, childcare is a temporary season of life. Your children will grow, move on to kindergarten, and eventually begin new chapters of their education. But while their time with us may be temporary, the lessons, relationships, habits, and foundations they develop during these early years can stay with them for a lifetime. You are making an important investment in their development, education, and future.

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For us, this is not a temporary season. This is our career, our passion, and the future we are building. We have dedicated years to improving this center, learning from our experiences, developing better systems, raising expectations, and working toward something we believe can make a lasting difference. We know we haven't gotten everything right along the way, and we know there will always be opportunities to improve, but we are committed to continuing that work.

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We want to be a learning center where children are excited to learn, where families feel confident in the care and education their children receive, and where teachers feel proud of the work they do. We recognize that your investment in your child's early education is significant. We never want families to feel that we take their financial commitment or trust for granted. At the same time, we believe that creating a truly wonderful place for children begins with supporting the people who care for and teach them every day.

We believe a successful learning center must have value for both our families and our teachers. Our hope is that, as we continue to grow and improve, God's Kidom becomes an example of what Early Childhood Education can be when children, families, and teachers are all treated as essential parts of the same community.

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The Future We Are Building

Our mission has always been rooted in Proverbs 22:6, which reminds us of the importance of training children in the way they should go. We believe fulfilling that responsibility means being intentional about the environment we create, the examples we set, and the people we place in our classrooms. We are grateful for every family who has trusted us with their children, every teacher who has helped us grow, and every opportunity God has given us to continue improving.

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We know there is still much work ahead of us. There will be challenges to overcome, lessons to learn, and decisions that require patience and faith. But we trust that as long as we continue seeking God's guidance and remaining faithful to the purpose He has given us, He will continue to lead us in the direction we are meant to go. Our goal isn't to build God's Kidom as quickly as possible. It's to build it faithfully and intentionally, with Christ at the center and a foundation strong enough to support the children, families, and teachers who will be part of it for years to come.

Thank you for being part of that journey.

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With appreciation,

Chumani & Abby
Owners, God's Kidom Learning Center
Fun. Faith. Freedom.